By Frank Amponsah
New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates have overwhelmingly voted and endorsed majority of the party’s incumbent executives at last Saturday’s national delegates’ conference held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The NPP held its National Delegates Conference to elect executives to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.
Acting national chairman, Freddie Blay, retained his position to become the substantive Chairman of the party, John Boadu who was also serving in an acting position was overwhelmingly endorsed as the substantive General Secretary whilst Samuel Awuku won the position of the National Organiser.
Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah was also given the nod to continue in his capacity as the party’s National Treasurer.
Freddy Blay secured 3,021 votes to defeat his other two contenders, Stephen Ntim who had 2,558 and Dr. Richard Amoako Baah who came third with 18 votes.
Also, John K. Boadu swept 4,277 votes to become the substantive General Secretary with Richard Ahiagbah having 1,274.
Samuel Awuku polled 4,914 votes to beat Sulemana A. Sadik Nabicheinga and Emmanuel Tweneboah Kodua.
Kate Gyamfua, won the Women Organizer slot, Henry Nana Boakye,
Youth Organizer, Abdul Aziz-Nasara Coordinator, and Abdul Aziz Futah- Nasara Coordinator.
Rita Talata Asobayire secured the 1st Vice Chairperson position whilst the 2nd and 3rd Vice Chairperson Position went to F. F. Anto and Omare Wadie respectively, according to the number of votes each secured.
The National Chairman elect, Freddy Blay in his acceptance speech sent a clear message to their opponent, the NDC that the NPP is now determined not only to “defend our gains since 2016, but to win in 2020 and beyond.”
He indicated that the NPP is hoping to stay in power for the next 60 years and that the Saturday contest hds energized the party strongly and brought them together more united than ever.
He stated that, “We will work on unity of the party, work together in unity, we promise to faithfully serve the party, we promise to serve and embark, and defend our government under His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
He called on all who contested the elections in the various capacities to bury their differences but that what transpired at the conference was “a family fight.”
He said “We will now mend some of the problems that during the contest we might have created for each other.”
Mr. Stephen Ntim,) who lost to Freddy Blay, also called on the party to continue counting on him since the outcome of the elections was in the interest of the party.
He said: “As usual, my loyalty to the New Patriotic Party is not shaken by what has taken place. We can continue counting on Stephen Ntim as usual, because it is party first, thank you all very much.”
Making a short remarks after the results were declared at the party’s national delegates’ conference early Sunday morning, Stephen Ntim declared that, his loyalty to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would not be shaken by the defeat he suffered in his fourth attempt to becoming the Chairman.
According to him, even though he had not been successful for the fourth time in his attempt to serve the party in the capacity as national chairman, he would still continue to be loyal to the party and continue to support the activities of the party as he always did.
Stephen Ntim lost to Freddy Blay after securing 2515 votes’ as against 3021 votes secured by Freddie Blay.
He however expressed appreciation to God, the party and delegates for their roles in ensuring a successful conference saying that “First of all I want to express my sincerest thanks to almighty God for making this day possible. I want to also thank the organizers for this conference and our distinguish delegates for doing what is expected of them.”
He said “It is rather unfortunate that I have to lose for the fourth time in my attempt to serve the party in the capacity of national chairman.”
“Once again it is victory for the New Patriotic Party, because we have succeeded in electing our new crop of national officers to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his congratulatory message to the elected executives and to the party in general, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo lauded Freddie Blay and the other national officers and said the NPP as a party, was to be commended for the efficient and successful manner in which the election of new officers, who are to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years, was conducted.
He said: “We have shown, once again, that we are the Party that has an abiding faith and belief in multi-party democracy. I have, on occasion, stated that internal party contests are not about winners and losers. They are about the Party winning.”
The President urged all to rally in unity behind the new national officers, and ensure that they record another famous, historic victory in the 2020 elections for the party to effect the social and economic transformation of the nation and help deliver progress and prosperity to Ghanaians.
